Summary: My P-300 was completely refurbished by an excellent technician - new caps, some new transistors and some general maintenance. Any unit this old (30+ years) needs some work to sound like new; more important, it deserves to be restored. Capacitors don't last forever. All in (purchase plus refurbishing and shipping) cost less than $1000. New Accuphase amplifiers sell for many thousands.
The P-300 has wonderful sound; it's a transparent and powerful amplifier. Rated at 150wpd, mine came in well below spec at 193wpc before clipping with 0.015% THD. It is drop dead quiet, responsive, and delivers uncolored sound on a detailed soundstage. What goes in comes out. It can go much louder that you could ever want (and still keep your hearing) while retaining the ability to handle transients. It has a variety of features, some useful some not depending on your needs. But one great aspect is the soft start protection circuit on power up that sends a tiny signal to test load impedance and will refuse to engage the output relay if it detects anything too low (below 1.2 ohms).
The only criticism I have of this amp is its looks. It has nice large VU meters, which I like, but overall it's nothing to write home about. But I'm usually too busy enjoying the music to pay attention to how the amp looks.
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I bought this with a C200 preamp to make up one of the all time classic systems.This is my second system.It also uses Gale 401a speakers.A very special sounding system with that rare combination of refinement and balls.
The C200 preamp is not really in the same league as the P300 preamp.It is good but the power amp deserves better.It sounds glorious with a Supratek Cabernet tube preamp.
So to get the best out of it you need a really good modern[tube] preamp.It is simply that good and will compare favourably to modern power amps in the US $5000 plus range.
It does all the audiophile things[brilliant 3D imaging] but will also drive very difficul tspeakers like the Gales without any sense of strain.
IAt all times it sounds sweet,open and precise.Almost the antithesis of the typical solid state sound but with superbly detailed and controlled bass that you find very hard to get in tube power amps.
How accuphase managed to come up with something this good over 30 years ago is pretty mind boggling.
It was the product they built their reputation on though.Deservedly so.
Strengths: Brilliant allround power amp.No weak areas of performance.
Increasing in value.
Weaknesses: Getting oldso may need some maintenance.
Summary: I HAVE 2 P-300'S GREAT AMP'S , PERFECT IS THE WORD. ISYATEM INCLUDEC 2-ACCUPHASE P-300'S, ONE DBX B-3 AMP, ADCOM-GFA--555----2 (used as mono block's) ACCUSONIC AMP FOR SIDES, . PRE AMP LEXICON DC-2 VS-4 ----PROCEED CD----SONY DAT-----SONY MD---- SONY CASSETTE----- SPEAKERS ARE MIRAGES--OMS----7, EPICURES----- CERWIN VEGAS--D-9 TWO PAIR'S--- BOSE SIDES-301'S------BIC VENTURI --4 4BX RANGE EXPANDER, ,ADC EQ--- MY DREAM SYSTEM
Strengths: BLANCED SYSTEM WITH 2 ACXCUPHASE P-300,S AND ADCOM -GFA--555 ARE USED AS MONO BLOCK'S B-3 AMP AMP IS GOING TO BE USED AS A SUB AMP 1 ch at 350 watt's. useing one set of d-9's as sub's with 15 inch woffer's /// one set of d-9's for rear's,,, bode 301's for side ch's----
Weaknesses: NONE
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Summary: Bought this in a private sale. This is one heluva an amp ! This baby drove my Yamaha NS-1000s to tremendous levels, despite the Yamahas being only 86 db in efficiency. I have a Pioneer Spec-2 amp and the Accuphase simply blows it away! Despite the Pionner carrying a much higher power rating (250 w/c vs. 150 w/c for the P-300), the Accuphase seemed to have a much greater reserve, especially in the bass. The Accuphase also had a warmer, richer sound in the high and mids, which more closely resembled that of tube amps compared to the Spec-2. This is one seriously underrated 150 w/c amp, sound more like a 200 - 250 w/p unit. The build quality is astounding ! A huge transformer that is about 6 inches square and has to weigh at least half the weight of the entire amp (which itself weighs in at 55 lbs!) coupled with a pair of enormous filter Caps: 40,000 uF each !!. Although the $500 amount I paid is not a steal (these amps typically sell for this amount on Ebay), I would probably have to spend at least 8 times this amount to get this kind of build quality. Also cosider that all of the knobs and controls are made of solid alluminum. I can now see why they call it the Japanese Mcintosh. A truly great piece of vintage gear!!
Strengths: Tremendous build quality, very powerfull, smooth sound (especially the bass), huge reserve power and big beautifull VU meters !
Weaknesses: None.
Similar Products Used: Pioneer Spec-2, Marantz 300DC.
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Summary: Long story short-I basically "stole" this with the matching pre-amp(C-200) for a total of $250. The guy had no idea,check E-bay on these! Anyway,this is quite simply the greatest amp I've ever owned. A whopping 200wpc will power any speaker and I can (and do) listen for hours without ever wanting to turn it down. It has inputs on the front and back for easy pre-amp swapping if that's your thing and it looks fantastic. One look underneath will confirm the quality-HUGE capacitors (40,000mf), a monster transformer, and solid metal parts all around. These were designed to compete with the McIntoshes of that era and had a price tag to match-but quality is rarely cheap. Mine needed the big caps replaced recently,but will now be good for decades.
Strengths: Built to outlive the original owners, breathtaking power and beautiful smooth sound. Looks stunning as well,I'm proud to show it off.
Weaknesses: Original parts are very hard to find,only factory repair place is in CA. Awkward plug on end of power cord,I had to make one to fit.(all Accuphase from that era are like that)
Similar Products Used: Nothing that I've owned comes close, but I've never owned a McIntosh. Owned several Marantz,Adcom,Sansui,Denon-all nice but not in the same league.
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